Understanding the Non-Binary Identity
The non-binary (gender queer) umbrella is a gender identity for those who do not experience themselves as being male or female (within the gender binary). These individuals may use various pronouns ie. they/them, ze/zim, xe/xey, she/they, he/they, etc. Non-binary individuals may or may not experience gender dysphoria and/or seek to medically transition or alter current presentation. Some non-binary individuals may not see themselves as “transgender” as they do not see themselves as any gender and therefore cannot “transition” genders. Others in the non-binary minority may identify with the transgender identity as they do not identify with the gender that they were assigned at birth and therefore see it as a transition. Various types of gender non-conforming individuals fall under the non-binary umbrella, but identify as a more specific non-binary identity such as “genderqueer, genderfluid, bigender, agender, two-spirit, third gender, and gender neutral” (Johnson, 222). The non-binary identity is a very complex one with various aspects and variations.
Understanding the Transgender Identity
The transgender umbrella is often applicable to those who do not identify with the gender they are assigned at birth. Transgender individuals commonly identify with the gender binary opposing the one assigned at birth i.e male to female (MtF) or female to male (FtM), but this is not always the case. Transgender individuals may be beyond the binary and may or may not seek medical means of transitioning but may otherwise change presentation. Transgender individuals may also identify as trans feminine (assigned male at birth but predominantly identify with the feminine gender identity/presentation) or trans masculine (assigned female at birth but predominantly identify with masculine gender identity/presentation). Trans masculine/feminine individuals may also identify within or outside of the gender binary.
The Difference of Non-Binary and Transgender Identities
Non-binary individuals may or may not identify as transgender, and transgender individuals may or may not identify as non-binary. The two are not mutually exclusive but oftentimes are interconnected. Society perpetuates a view of transgender individuals that is often exclusively within the binary i.e. male or female; this view does not resonate with non-binary individuals who may identify with the larger transgender umbrella. This improperly informed misconception is often applied to practice such as in research, studies, etc. and may lead to invalidation of research and invalidation of the non-binary minority. While transgender representation is increasing on a global scale, there may be an exceptional complication for non-binary individuals who are often not represented within this larger umbrella. This conclusion is in no way meant to invalidate the complications of binary conforming transgender individuals as they experience similar or even higher percentages of depression and suicidal ideation to their non-binary counterparts (Price-Feeney). Members of both of these groups experience high levels of mental complications, and while positive representation is both is important, the purpose of this site is to clarify the implications for non-binary individuals and how their identity may impact them.
The Exceptional Complications of Non-Binary Invalidation
To best understand the special impactions of invalidation for the non-binary minority one must consider the difference in experiences of non-affirmation and invalidation. “Invalidation Experiences Among Non-Binary Adolescents” explains that invalidation is “ the refusal to accept someone’s identity as “real” or “true”, while non-affrirmartion may question an individuals right to the binary they identify with. They key distinction is that while non-affirmation may deny a claim to something, invalidation may not recognise that thing at all. With this in consideration, the non-binary identity can be uniquely complicated as people often invalidate it. Many only recognize two genders, leading them to question or disregard non-binary minorities. In comparison, “trans individuals [have] a recognized place in the binary even though others question that individual’s right to claim that identity” (Johnson, 225). Transgender individuals may face challenges of non-affirmation of their gender identity, but generally if they identify with the binary (male or female), the gender they identify with is still recognized. This can vary based on the person, especially if they identify as both transgender and non-binary, but it is an important distinction to keep in mind when understanding how invalidation may specifically target non-binary individuals.